Process for the preparation of pyrimidine compounds

ABSTRACT

A process for the preparation of a compound of Formula (I) and intermediates useful therein are provided. The process comprises reacting a compound of formula R 1 —CO—CH 2 -E with a compound of formula R 2 —CHX 1 X 2  in the presence of a compound of formula R 3 R 4 N—C(═NH)NH 2  and a catalyst, thereby to form a dihydropyrimidine; and oxidising the dihydropyrimidine to form the compound of Formula ( 1 ). R 1  is H or an alkyl group; R 2  is H, an alkyl or aryl group; R 3  and R 4  are each independently H, alkyl or aryl, or R 3  and R 4  are linked to form, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached to form a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring; E is H, an unsubstituted alkyl group, and aryl group or an electron withdrawing group; and X 1  and X 2  are each independently leaving groups, or X 1  and X 2  together represent ═O.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International Application PCT/GB2003/005359, filed Dec. 9, 2003, which claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Applications Nos. 0229243.1, filed Dec. 16, 2002, 0303589.6, filed Feb. 17, 2003, and 0318515.4, filed Aug. 7,2003, the specifications of all of which are incorporated by reference herein. International Application PCT/GB2003/005359 was published under PCT Article 21(2) in English.

The present invention concerns a process for the preparation of pyrimidines and intermediate compounds useful in the preparation thereof.

Substituted pyrimidine compounds are valuable compounds for use in particularly the pharmaceutical industry. Certain 2-aminopyrimidine compounds are intermediates used in the preparation of pharmaceutical compounds useful in the treatment of, inter alia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipoproteinemia and artherosclerosis. Synthetic routes to substituted pyrimidine compounds have been disclosed in EP-A-0 521 471 and WO01/04100. Nevertheless, it remains desirable to identify alternative routes for the preparation of substituted pyrimidine compounds.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for the preparation of a compound of Formula (1):

which comprises

-   a) reacting a compound of formula R¹—CO—CH₂-E with a compound of     formula R²—CHX¹X² in the presence of a compound of formula     R³R⁴N—C(═NH)NH₂ and a catalyst, thereby to form a dihydropyrimidine;     and -   b) oxidising the dihydropyrimidine produced in step a) to form the     compound of Formula (1)     wherein -   R¹ is H or an alkyl group; -   R² is H or an alkyl or aryl group; -   R³ and R⁴ are each independently H, alkyl or aryl, or R³ and R⁴ are     linked to form, together with the nitrogen to which they are     attached, a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring; -   E is H, an unsubstituted alkyl group, an aryl group or an electron     withdrawing group; and -   X¹ and X² are each independently leaving groups, or X¹ and X²     together represent ═O.

Dihydropyrimidines formed in step a) can be represented by the Formula (2):

It will be recognised that the compounds of Formula (2) can exist in a number of tautomeric forms in which the double bonds are delocalised into other positions in the molecule, notably into different positions around the pyrimidine ring. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that for certain compounds of Formula 2, the predominant tautomeric form is of Formula (2a):

Alkyl groups which may be represented by R¹ include linear, branched and cyclic alkyl groups commonly comprising from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Preferred cyclic alkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl groups. Preferred linear and branched alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl groups. Most preferably, R¹ represents isopropyl.

Alkyl groups which may be represented by R² are as described above for R¹.

Aryl groups which may be represented by R² include both homoaryl and heteroaryl groups, and commonly comprise at least one 5 to 7 membered aromatic ring. Examples of aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl and pyridyl groups. Most preferably, R² represents a phenyl group.

Alkyl and aryl groups which may be represented by R³ and R⁴ are as described above for R¹ and R². In certain preferred embodiments, R³ represents methyl and R⁴ represents H. In other preferred embodiments, both of R³ and R⁴ are H.

Alkyl and aryl groups which may be represented by R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents. Examples of substituents include optionally substituted alkoxy (preferably C₁₋₄-alkoxy), optionally substituted alkyl (preferably C₁₋₄-alkyl), optionally substituted aryl (preferably phenyl), optionally substituted aryloxy (preferably phenoxy), optionally substituted heterocyclyl, polyalkylene oxide (preferably polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide), carboxy, oxo, phosphato, sulpho, nitro, cyano, halo, especially chloro and fluoro, ureido, —SO₂F, hydroxy, ester, —NR^(a)R^(b), —COR^(a), —CONR^(a)R^(b), —NHCOR^(a), carboxyester, sulphone, and —SO₂NR^(a)R^(b) wherein R^(a) and R^(b) are each independently H, optionally substituted alkyl (especially C₁₋₄-alkyl) or optionally substituted aryl (preferably phenyl), or, in the case of —NR^(a)R^(b), —CONR^(a)R^(b) and —SO₂NR^(a)R^(b), R^(a) and R^(b) together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached may represent an aliphatic or aromatic ring system. Optional substituents for any of the substituents described may be selected from the same list of substituents.

Unsubstituted alkyl groups which may be represented by E are those unsubstituted alkyl groups as described above for R¹.

Aryl groups which may be represented by E are as described above for R².

Electron withdrawing groups which may be represented by E include nitro groups; nitrile groups; perhaloalkyl groups, such as trifluoromethyl and pentafluoroethyl; ester groups, especially alkyl carboxylate groups; sulphonamide groups; keto groups; amide groups; and aldehyde groups, especially formyl groups.

E may also represent a group of formula —CHX^(a)X^(b), wherein X^(a) and X^(b) each independently represents a halo, especially a chloro or bromo group, an alkoxy group, especially a C₁₋₄alkoxy, such as a methoxy or ethoxy group, an alkylthio group, especially a C₁₋₄alkylthio group, or X^(a) and X^(b) are linked to form a cyclic acetal or thioacetal commonly comprising, with the carbon to which X^(a) and X^(b) are bonded, from 5 to 7 atoms in the ring. When E represents a group of formula —CHX^(a)X^(b), it is preferred that X^(a) is the same as X^(b).

Further groups which may be represented by E are groups of formula —CH₂E², wherein E² represents halo, especially bromo or chloro, or a phosphorus-containing moiety, such as a phosphate ester, for example of formula —OP(═O)(OR^(c))₂, a phosphonate ester, for example of formula —P(═O)(OR^(c))₂, a phosphite, for example of formula —P(OR^(c))₂, a phosphine, for example of formula —P(R^(c))₂, or a phosphine oxide, for example of formula —P(═O)(R^(c))₂, in each of which R^(c) represents an alkyl, such as a C₁₋₄ alkyl, or an aryl, such as a phenyl, group. When E² represents a phosphorus-containing moiety, it is preferably a phosphine oxide of formula —P(═O)(R^(d))₂ wherein R^(d) represents methyl, ethyl or phenyl.

E may also represent a group of formula —CR^(x)═CR^(y)R^(z), wherein R^(x), R^(y) and R^(z) each independently represent H, alkyl or aryl. Preferably, R^(x) and R^(y) represent H, and R^(z) represents an optionally substituted C₁₋₅ alkyl chain. R^(z) is preferably substituted by two hydroxy groups, commonly present as a protected 1,3-dihydroxy moiety. R^(z) preferably comprises a terminal carboxyl group, especially a carboxy ester group. R^(z) is most preferably a group of formula:

-   -   wherein R^(t) is an alkyl group, preferably a tert-butyl group.

A particular compound of formula R¹—CO—CH₂-E is of formula:

-   -   wherein R^(t) is an alkyl group, preferably a tert-butyl group.

Preferably, E represents a group of formula —CO₂(C₁₋₄alkyl), and especially —CO₂Me, —CO₂Et or —CO₂iPr.

Leaving groups which can be represented by X¹ and X² include chloro, bromo and iodo, especially chloro, groups, and alkoxy groups, especially C₁₋₄alkoxy, such as methoxy, groups. Commonly when X¹ and X² are leaving groups, either both are selected from chloro, bromo or iodo, or both are alkoxy. It is most preferred that X¹ and X² together represent ═O.

Oxidising agents which may be employed in the process according to the present invention include those oxidising agents known in the art to oxidise dihydropyrimidines to pyrimidines. Examples of suitable oxidising agents include quinones, such as chloranil, and particularly substituted benzoquinones such as 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone; halogens, such as bromine, transition metal oxidants such as barium manganate, copper chloride, optionally in the presence of phenanthroline, and manganese dioxide; metallic oxidants, such as palladium on charcoal or other suitable platinum group metals; and elemental sulfur. The most preferred oxidants are elemental sulfur and manganese dioxide.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, particularly when E represents H or unsubstituted alkyl, and especially H, the product of the reaction obtained from step (a) is the substituted pyrimidine rather than a dihydropyrimidine. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that any dihydropyrimidine formed is autoxidised to the pyrimidine by the presence of oxygen, or the dihydropyrimidine self-oxidises or disproportionates.

Preferred compounds of formula R¹—CO—CH₂-E are compounds of formula (C₁₋₄alkyl)-CO—CH₂CO₂R⁵, wherein R⁵ represents a C₁₋₄ alkyl group, especially a methyl, ethyl or isopropyl group. Most preferred compounds of formula R¹—CO—CH₂-E are compounds of formulae:

Compounds of formula (CH₃)₂CH—CO—CH₂—CO₂—C₃H₇, preferably (CH₃)₂CH—CO—CH₂—CO₂—CH(CH₃)₂, form another aspect of the present invention. Such compounds may be prepared by methods analogous to those known in the art for the preparation of similar compounds, such as methyl isobutyrylacetate and ethyl isobutyrylacetate.

Preferred compounds of formula R²—CHX¹X² are compounds of formula:

wherein X³ represents a substituent, especially halo, and n is 0 or 1-5. Preferably X³ is chloro or fluoro, alkyl, preferably methyl, or alkoxy, preferably methoxy. Most preferably n is 1, and X³ is present at the 4-position. Especially preferred is 4-fluorobenzaldehyde.

Preferred compounds of formula R³R⁴N—C(═NH)NH₂ are guanidine and methylguanidine. The compounds of formula R³R⁴N—C(═NH)NH₂ can be employed as the free base, but in many embodiments are advantageously employed as a salt, such as a nitrate, carbonate or sulphate salt, and especially a hydrochloride salt.

Preferred catalysts which can be employed in the present invention are bases.

Bases which can be employed in the process of the present invention are preferably inorganic bases. Examples of inorganic bases include alkali and alkaline earth metal carbonates and hydrogencarbonates, particularly sodium or potassium hydrogencarbonate and most preferably sodium or potassium carbonate.

Step a) of the process according to the present invention preferably employs a solvent which is inert under the reaction conditions employed. In many embodiments, a polar solvent is employed, preferably a polar aprotic solvent, for example including dichloromethane, dimethylsulphoxide and tetrahydrofuran. Preferred solvents are amides, such as N-methylpyrrolidinone and especially dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide. Mixtures of solvents may be employed if desired.

In many preferred embodiments of the present invention, a mixture comprising the compound of formula R¹—CO—CH₂-E, compound of formula R²—CHX¹X² and compound of formula R³R⁴N—C(═NH)NH₂ is formed, optionally in the presence of a solvent, and the catalyst added to this mixture.

It will be recognised that the reaction conditions employed in Step a) of the present invention the process may be varied over a wide range, depending for example on the nature of the reagents and/or solvent employed. Step a) commonly employs a reaction temperature in the range of from about 50° C. to about 80° C., such as from about 55° to 65° C. In many embodiments, a mole ratio of compound of formula R³R⁴N—C(═NH)NH₂ to compound of formula R¹—CO—CH₂-E of from about 1.5:1 to about 3.5:1, such as about 2 :1, can be advantageously employed. In many embodiments, a stoichiometric mole ratio, or a small molar excess, such as up to about 1.2:1, of compound of formula R²—CHX¹X² to compound of formula R¹—CO—CH₂-E is employed.

Step b) of the process preferably employs a solvent which is inert under the reaction conditions employed. The solvent is selected according to the nature of the oxidising agent employed, and may include the solvents described above for step a). Further solvents which may be employed in step b) include non-polar solvents, for example hydrocarbons, such as toluene, and dialkylethers, such as methyl tertiary-butyl ether. Mixtures of solvents may be employed if desired.

It will be recognised that the reaction conditions employed in Step b) of the process according to the present invention may be varied over a wide range, depending for example on the nature of the oxidant and/or solvent employed. Step b) commonly employs a reaction temperature in the range of from about 50° C. to about 140° C., such as from about 100° C. to 120° C. In many embodiments, a stoichiometric mole ratio, or a molar excess of oxidant to dihydropyrimidine is employed. In certain highly preferred embodiments, the oxidant employed is MnO₂ and azeotropic conditions are employed, most preferably employing toluene as solvent, with a mole ratio of MnO₂ to dihydropyrimidine of from about 2:1 to 4:1 being especially preferred.

Compounds of Formula (2) and tautomers thereof, especially compounds of Formula (2a), wherein E is not H, R³ and R⁴ are not both unsubstituted alkyl groups and R¹ is not —CH₃ when R² is unsubstituted phenyl or o-nitrophenyl are novel, and accordingly form a second aspect of the present invention. In such compounds, it is preferred that at least one of R³ and R⁴ represents H, and that R² preferably represents a phenyl group substituted by one or more halogens, and most preferably represents a 4-fluorophenyl group.

Step a) of the process according to the first aspect of present invention forms a third aspect of the present invention.

Step b) of the process according to the first aspect of present invention forms a fourth aspect of the present invention.

When either or both of R³ and R⁴ is H, the compounds of Formulae (1) or (2) may be reacted with reagents to introduce a substituent onto the exocyclic nitrogen, especially to introduce an alkyl, especially a methyl, or an alkyl- or arylsulfonyl, especially a mesyl, substituent.

In a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a process for the preparation of a compound of Formula (3):

which comprises

-   a) reacting a compound of formula R¹—CO—CH₂-E with a compound of     formula R²—CHX¹X² in the presence of a compound of formula     R⁷HN—C(═NH)NH₂ and a catalyst, thereby to form a dihydropyrimidine,     which may be represented by a compound of formula (2) or (2a) as     described above but in which R³ represents R⁷ and R⁴ is H; -   b) oxidising the dihydropyrimidine produced in step a) to form a     compound of Formula (4)

and

-   c) reacting the compound of Formula (4) with a compound of formula     R⁶SO₂—X⁴ to give a compound of Formula (3);     wherein -   R¹, R²; E, X¹ and X² are as previously described; -   R⁶ represents alky or aryl, preferably methyl; -   R⁷ is H, alkyl or aryl; and -   X⁴ represents a leaving group, preferably Cl or Br.

Alkyl and aryl groups which may be represented by R⁷ are as described above for R³. In many embodiments, R⁷ represents H or a methyl group.

Preferred features for R¹, R²; E, X¹ and X² are as previously described.

The present invention is illustrated further, without limitation, by the following examples.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Methyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylate

-   a) A 100 ml two neck round bottom flask equipped with a condenser     and connected to a nitrogen line was charged with     p-fluorobenzaldehyde (0.57 ml, 5 mmol), methyl isobutyrylacetate     (“MIBA”, 0.79 g, 5.5 mmol), guanidine hydrochloride (1.19 g, 12.5     mmol), potassium carbonate (2.76 g, 40 mmol) and 10 ml of anhydrous     dimethylformamide (DMF). This mixture was stirred and heated at     70° C. for 20 h. The reaction mixture changed from colourless to     yellow during this time. After cooling, DMF was removed under vacuum     and the residue partitioned between brine (50 ml) and ethyl acetate     (200 ml). The aqueous phase was washed with ethyl acetate (200 ml)     and the combined organic layers were dried over magnesium sulfate     and filtered. The solvent was removed under vacuum to obtain 1 g of     yellow solid. ¹HNMR and LC showed methyl     2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate     as the major component (82%).

¹H NMR (250 MHz, C₂D₆SO); δ 0.95-1.1 (2xd, 6H, CH(CH₃)₂), 3.45 (s, 3H, O—CH₃), 4.0 (septet, 1H, CH(CH₃)₂), 6.1 (broad s, 2H, NH₂), 7.1-7.3 (m, 5-H, N—H & 4 C—H aromatic).

-   b) A 25 ml three neck round bottom flask evacuated and back-filled     with nitrogen was charged with methyl     2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate     (100 mg) and 15 ml of anhydrous THF.     2,3-Dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (135 mg, 0.45 mmol) was     added under nitrogen. The red solution was stirred at room     temperature. After 40 min, methyl     2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylate was     observed by HPLC and LC-MS. The product was identified by comparison     with a standard of high purity prepared by a different chemical     route. Both samples co-eluted by HPLC and showed the same ions by     positive and negative electrospray mass spectrometry.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Methyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate

Guanidine hydrochloride (12.1 g), 4-Fluorobenzaldehyde (7.0 g), methyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoate (8.9 g) and DMF (150 ml) were charged to a vessel equipped with a condenser and connected to a nitrogen line. The resultant mixture was stirred until a clear solution was obtained. Potassium carbonate (17.5 g) is charged and the mixture heated to 70° C. for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and filtered. It contained methyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate in 55% yield. An analytical sample was prepared by removing the reaction solvents by evaporation under reduced pressure, precipitating the product from the resultant oil in acetonitrlie and recrystallisation from acetonitrile.

¹H NMR (250 MHz, C₂D₆SO); δ 0.95-1.1 (2xd, 6H, CH(CH₃)₂), 3.45 (s, 3H, O—CH₃), 4.0 (septet, 1H, CH(CH₃)₂), 6.1 (broad s, 2H, NH₂), 7.1-7.3 (m, 5-H, N—H & 4 C—H aromatic).

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Ethyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate

Guanidine hydrochloride (24.1 g), 4-Fluorobenzaldehyde (13.9 g), ethyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoate (16.2 g) and DMF (300 ml) were charged to a vessel equipped with a condenser and connected to a nitrogen line. The resultant mixture was stirred until a clear solution was obtained. Sodium carbonate (26.8 g) was charged and the mixture heated to 70° C. for 4 hours. The reaction mixture contained ethyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate in 75% yield. DMF was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure until the reaction mixture contained 35-40% DMF by weight. Toluene was charged (112 ml) and the temperature adjusted to 55° C. This solution was washed 3 times with 10% aqueous sodium chloride solution, cooled to 10° C., washed with toluene (32 ml) and dried in a vacuum oven at 50° C.

¹H NMR (250 MHz, C₂D₆SO); δ 1.0 (t, 3H, CH₂CH₃), 1.1 (d, 6H, CH(CH₃)₂), 3.9 (q, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 4.05 (septet, 1H, CH(CH₃)₂), 5.2 (s, 1H, N—C—H), 6.1 (broad s, 2H, NH₂), 7.1 (t, 2H, C—H aromatic), 7.15-7.3 (m, 3H, N—H & 2 C—H aromatic).

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Isopropyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoate

Methyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoate (304 g), isopropyl alcohol (500 ml) and p-toluenesulfonic acid (3.8 g) were stirred together and heated to reflux at 90° C. After 3 hours, 400 ml of solvent was collected by distillation at atmospheric pressure. Fresh isopropyl alcohol was added and the mixture refluxed for a further 3 hours. The cycle of distillation, addition of fresh solvent and refluxing was continued until the conversion had reached 95%, determined by a peak area ratio of product: starting material of 95:5 measured by LC. The remaining volatile solvents were removed by distillation and the resultant liquid washed with 10% sodium carbonate solution and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and filtered to give isopropyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoate as a clear liquid (301 g, 83%).

¹H NMR (250 MHz, C₂D₆SO); δ 1.05, 1.2 (2xd, 12H, C—CH(CH₃)₂, O—CH(CH₃)₂), 2.7 (septet, 1H, C—CH(CH₃)₂), 3.6 (s, 2H, CH₂), 4.05 (septet, 1H, O—CH(CH₃)₂).

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of Isopropyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate

Guanidine hydrochloride (12.1 g), 4-Fluorobenzaldehyde (7.0 g), isopropyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoate (8.9 g) and DMF (150 ml) were charged to a vessel equipped with a condenser and connected to a nitrogen line. The resultant mixture was stirred until a clear solution was obtained. Potassium carbonate (17.5 g) was charged and the mixture heated to 70° C. for 3 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, filtered, and the solvents removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The resultant oil was triturated in water at 80° C. and cooled to give a slurry that was filtered and dried to give isopropyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate in 67% yield.

¹H NMR (250 MHz, C₂D₆SO); δ 0.9-1.15 (d, 12H, C—CH(CH₃)₂, O—CH(CH₃)₂), 4.0 (septet, 1H, C—CH(CH₃)₂), 4.75 (septet, 1H, O—CH(CH₃)₂), 5.2 (s, 1H, N—C—H), 6.1 (broad s, 2H, NH₂), 7.1 (t, 2H, C—H aromatic), 7.2 (m, 3H, N—H & 2 C—H aromatic).

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of Ethyl 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-methylamino-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate

1-Methylguanidine hydrochloride (8.25 g), 4-Fluorobenzaldehyde (4.2 g), ethyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoate (5.0 g) and DMF (100 ml) were charged to a vessel equipped with a condenser and connected to a nitrogen line. The resultant mixture stirred until a clear solution is obtained. Sodium carbonate (4.0 g) was charged and the mixture heated to 70° C. for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, filtered, and the solvents removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The resultant oil was triturated in water at 50° C. and cooled to give a slurry that was filtered and dried to give ethyl 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-methylamino-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate in 63% yield.

¹H NMR (250 MHz, C₂D₆SO); δ 0.95-1.1 (m, 9H, CH₂CH₃ & CH(CH₃)₂), 2.7 (s, 3H, NH—CH₃), 3.9 (q, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 4.0 (septet, 1H, CH(CH₃)₂), 5.2 (s, 1H, N—C—H), 6.4 (broad s, 1H, NH—CH₃), 7.1 (t, 2H, C—H aromatic), 7.2 (m, 3H, N—H & 2 C—H aromatic).

EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of Methyl 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-(1-pyrazolyl)-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate

1H-Pyrazole carboxamidine (prepared according to the method of Bernatowicz, Wu and Matsueda; J. Org. Chem., 52, 2497-2502, 1992; 0.91 g), 4-Fluorobenzaldehyde (0.37 g), methyl 4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoate (0.4 g), potassium carbonate (1.38 g) and DMF (10 ml) were charged to a small vessel. The resultant mixture was heated to 85° C. for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, filtered, and the solvents removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The resultant oil was triturated in water to give a slurry that was filtered, washed and dried. The major component isolated by column chromatography was Methyl 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-(1-pyrazolyl)-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate.

¹H NMR (250 MHz, C₂D₆SO); δ 1.05-1.2 (2xd, 6H, CH(CH₃)₂), 3.55 (s, 3H, O—CH₃), 4.0 (septet, 1H, CH(CH₃)₂), 5.5 (s, 1H, N—C—H), 6.55 (m, 1H, pyrazolyl C—H), 7.0 (t, 2H, phenyl C—H), 7.3 (m, 3H, N—H & 2 phenyl C—H), 7.7 (m, 1H, pyrazolyl C—H), 8.4 (m, 1H, pyrazolyl C—H).

EXAMPLE 8 Preparation of 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-pyrimidine

Guanidine hydrochloride (1.19 g), 4-Fluorobenzaldehyde (0.62 g), 3-methyl butan-2-one (0.47 g) and DMF (20 ml) were charged to a flask. The resultant mixture was stirred until a clear solution was obtained. Sodium tert-butoxide (2.36 g) was charged and the mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours. The reaction mixture contained 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-pyrimidine in 30% yield. The major component was isolated by flash column chromatography on silica, eluting with ethyl acetate/hexanes (1:4).

¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃); δ 1.25 (d, 6H, CH(CH₃)₂), 2.8 (septet, 1H, CH(CH₃)₂), 6.6 (broad s, 2H, NH₂), 7.35 (t, 2H, C—H aromatic), 8.15 (m, 2 C—H aromatic).

EXAMPLE 9 Preparation of Ethyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylate

Ethyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate (22.6 g) was dissolved in toluene (150 ml) and heated until a solution was obtained. Manganese dioxide (18.8 g) was added as a slurry in toluene (150 ml) and the mixture refluxed under azeotropic conditions for 6 hours until conversion was complete. A small amount of water was collected in the Dean and Stark trap. The slurry was filtered and the solvents removed by evaporation under reduced pressure to give ethyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylate as a crystalline solid in 96% yield.

¹H NMR (250 MHz, C₂D₆SO); δ 0.95 (t, 3H, CH₂CH₃), 1.2 (d, 6H, CH(CH₃)₂), 3.1 (septet, 1H, CH(CH₃)₂), 4.05 (q, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 7.1 (broad s, 2H, NH₂), 7.3 (t, 2H, C—H aromatic), 7.55 (m, 2 C—H aromatic).

EXAMPLE 10 Preparation of Ethyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-pyrimidine-5-carboxylate

The process of Example 9 was repeated, but using elemental sulfur (4.7 g) in place of the manganese dioxide, and a reaction time of 24 hours. The product was obtained in a near quantitative conversion.

EXAMPLE 11 Preparation of Ethyl 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-methylamino-pyrimidine-5-carboxylate

The process of Example 9 was repeated but employing 10 mmol of ethyl 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-2-methylamino-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate in place of ethyl 2-amino-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-isopropyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate, with the other reagents and components reduced proportionately. The product was obtained in a near quantitative conversion.

¹H NMR (250 MHz, C₂D₆SO); δ 0.95 (t, 3H, CH₂CH₃), 1.2 (d, 6H, CH(CH₃)₂), 2.85 (d, 3H, N—CH₃), 3.1 (septet, 1H, CH(CH₃)₂), 4.05 (q, 2H, CH₂CH₃), 7.3 (t, 2H, C—H aromatic), 7.45-7.65 (broad s, 3-H, N—H & 2 C—H aromatic). 

1. A process for the preparation of a compound of Formula (1):

which comprises a) reacting a compound of formula R¹—CO—CH₂-E with a compound of formula R²—CHX¹X² in the presence of a compound of formula R³R⁴N—C(═NH)NH₂ and a catalyst, thereby forming a dihydropyrimidine; and b) oxidising the dihydropyrimidine produced in a) to form the compound of Formula (1) wherein R¹ is H or an alkyl group; R² is H, an alkyl, or aryl group; R³ and R⁴ are each independently H, alkyl, or aryl; or R³ and R⁴ are linked to form, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, a 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring; E is H, an unsubstituted alkyl group, an aryl group, or an electron withdrawing group; and X¹ and X² are each independently leaving groups; or X¹ and X² together are ═O.
 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the dihydropyrimidine is represented by the Formula (2a), and tautomers thereof:


3. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula R¹—CO—CH₂-E is a compound of formulae:


4. A process according claim 1, wherein the compound of formula R²—CHX¹X² is a compound of formula:

wherein X³ is halo, and n is 0 or 1-5.
 5. A process according to claim 1, wherein the compound of formula R³R⁴N—C(═NH)NH₂ is guanidine or methylguanidine.
 6. A process according to claim 5, wherein the compound of formula R³R⁴N—C(═NH)NH₂ is employed as a hydrochloride or sulfate salt.
 7. A process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a base.
 8. A process according to claim 7, wherein the base is an alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate or hydrogencarbonate.
 9. A process according to claim 1, wherein the oxidising agent is manganese dioxide. 